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What does Whitstable Maritime do?
Whitstable Maritime is on a mission to use Whitstable’s Maritime heritage, culture and environment as a powerful force for delivering benefits for our community in terms of education, health and wellbeing.
Our main areas of charitable work are:
- Re-launching ‘Gamecock’ the last oyster boat built in Whitstable and making her available to people of all ages and backgrounds to experience and enjoy the benefits she provides. Click here for more information.
- Enabling people, including those with disabilities, to access and experience our Heritage Coastal Trail. Visit our Coastal trail page for more information and to download a copy of the Coastal Trail.
- Increasing access and participation with our maritime heritage through operating Gamecock, delivering Harbour Day event and the Maritime Heritage Boat centre.
- Offering a range of environmental conservation activities that engage our local community with preservation of our marine environment.
- Providing a range of learning, development and skills programmes for various age groups that support people through education and into work.
- Offering various volunteering opportunities across our charitable work aimed at providing a supportive and inclusive opportunity for people to contribute their skills and receive a range of benefits in return. If you’re thinking of becoming a volunteer, visit our Volunteer section for more information.
Our Mission Statement
Whitstable Maritime is a maritime charity focused on celebrating maritime heritage, supporting coastal economic development, addressing marine environment issues, and encouraging well-being.
How can I get involved?
Getting involved with Whitstable Maritime offers a rich blend of personal fulfilment, community impact, and skill development. We have various opportunities to get involved, for example:
- Volunteering opportunities across our charitable work
- Fund raising and donation support for what we do
- Work experience or internship opportunities
Be part of a recognized charity, Whitstable Maritime is well-established and respected. Join a network of passionate volunteers who care about heritage, the environment, and community development.
If you’d like to get involved, visit our Get involved section to find out more about how you could be part of the work we do.
Why are donations important?
Your contribution makes a difference! Whitstable Maritime uses donations to support a wide range of community, heritage, and environmental initiatives:
- Heritage Preservation: Donations help restore the 1906 Oyster Yawl Gamecock, a registered National Historic Ship. Once restored, Gamecock can be used to benefit society through helping marginalised and disadvantaged people, vulnerable people, people with impairments
- Environmental and Educational Projects: Funds support projects addressing local marine environmental issues and develop educational programs focused on ecology, geology, and coastal history.
- Increase accessibility for people with disabilities to use the Heritage Coastal Trail. Currently only available in printed and digital formats, funding is needed to create a sound & smell map version so that a wider community can participate and experience this valuable outdoor activity.
- Community Engagement: Deliver the most inclusive and accessible maritime event in the UK through the Maritime Heritage Centre at Harbour Day which we organise and run for the community.
If you’re considering donating, you’re not just supporting a boat—you’re investing in Whitstable’s cultural legacy and future sustainability. Donations can be made online, click here for more information.
Who runs Whitstable Maritime?
Whitstable Maritime is run by a dedicated team of trustees who oversee its operations as a registered charity and company limited by guarantee.
What is Whitstable Harbour & Boat Show?
The Whitstable Harbour & Boat Show is a vibrant, family-friendly celebration of Whitstable’s rich maritime heritage, held annually at Whitstable Harbour. The 2025 event was held on Saturday 9 August and provided a full day of coastal culture, hands-on activities, and community spirit. It was a great event to experience the town’s connection to the sea—past, present, and future.
The Show will be held again on 15 August 2026. Contact us for more details if you would like to be involved
What is the Gamecock?
Our flagship project in terms of preserving heritage is the restoration and operation of Gamecock, the last oyster yawl built in Whitstable.
Gamecock is one of the last surviving oyster yawls built in Whitstable, where she worked as an oyster dredger. Abandoned in 2013 she was left to rot on the marshes at Faversham, where we found her in terrible condition. She was brought back home and restoration work started so she can sail the sea here again and find a new role providing people with the opportunity to experience, learn and enjoy using her as a community asset serving the needs of those most disadvantaged within our communities.
With your help, Gamecock has a bright future. From inspiring people at school, to developing skills for employment to experiencing life at sea, Gamecock is ‘your’ boat and we want everyone to feel a connection with her. She will offer us all a chance to enjoy sailing her, she will be open to education onshore and aboard her for school children, she will provide sailing opportunities for people with learning difficulties, visual or hearing impairments and skills and learning for people seeking practical work experience ahead of employment.
More information about the Gamecock restoration project is available here.
